IDP Matchups, Living the Stream: Week 17

Photo: Imagn Images

If you're reading this article, a measure of congratulations is likely in order. At the very least, you have reached the semifinals of your IDP league. You are probably playing for the championship. You have weathered the storm that is the season and potentially sit one win from glory.

Kudos and whatnot.

But, if you are reading this column ahead of a must-win game, then something is amiss. All is not well in IDP-Land.

One of your edge rushers got hurt at some point, and you've been streaming a spot. There's a linebacker who just hasn't been scoring of late—so much so that you have genuine concerns about starting them. You've been turning and burning matchup plays at defensive back all season long.

Wait. That's me. In at least one league, I probably have all three.

Will a matchup play solve all the problems in all those leagues? God, I wish—having a 100 (or 70) percent success rate on these calls would make me look almost intelligent. But the sure bets and weekly starters are already rostered. Already starting.

If you have an IDP problem that has to be solved right now, then there is no perfect solution. All you can do is look at matchups at recent play, compare that with the players on your team's roster or league's waiver wire, pick a guy—and hope.

Yes, I know what they say about hope and strategy. Don't judge me.

DE Michael Hoecht, LA Rams (at NY Giants)

Hoecht has had quite an interesting career to date—from special teams to 3-4 defensive end to rush linebacker. At 6-foot-4 and 311 pounds, you won't find many bigger players at his position. But Hoecht has done relatively well in all areas of his new position—as a matter of fact, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris told reporters he's even been impressed with what Hoecht has shown in coverage.

"When you talk about the outside backer, you never really ask those guys to do too much covering," he said. "That's like the third thing in their totem pole. But I've been really pleased with everything he's done. I've been really fired up and pleased with what he's been able to do. He's not asked a lot to do (it), but when you cover guys to the flats, you have to play some areas within the defense within the framework of the body of what we're trying to do. I think it's really good."

Hoecht's sack numbers this year haven't been especially impressive (4.5), but he's two tackles south of 70 for the season. Add to that a New York Giants team that has surrendered a staggering 77 sacks this season, and you get the combination of fantasy ceiling and floor that should appeal to fantasy managers searching for a spot starter.

DE Za'Darius Smith, Cleveland (vs. NY Jets)

When Smith was acquired via a trade with the Minnesota Vikings, the move was hailed as the final piece in an overhauled defensive line. But the sacks haven't come as frequently for the 31-year-old as most expected. In fact, Smith was the first to admit to reporters that the sacks haven't come as frequently as even he expected.

"I'm known for getting after the quarterback, and obviously I've been getting to 'em, but I haven't been finishing 'em is my whole problem," Smith said. "I just got to correct my mistakes, man, whatever it may be. I'm still trying to figure out; I'm thinking it's another step that I need to take when I'm going after a quarterback."

In Week 16 at least, the Browns got the player they expected in that trade—Smith logged a pair of sacks in last week's win over the Houston Texans. Smith still only has 5.5 sacks for the season, but as Malcolm Koonce of the Raiders has shown the past couple of weeks a lot of them can come in bunches and the Browns host a Jets team Sunday that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to defensive ends.

LB Krys Barnes, Arizona (at Philadelphia)

It's been a rough season for the defensive play-callers for the Arizona Cardinals. First linebacker Kyzir White landed on injured reserve. Then Josh Woods joined him. That left fourth-year pro Krys Barnes as the proverbial last man standing, but he told the team's website his experience wearing the green dot at other times in his career has afforded him a comfort level of sorts in the role.

"I think as a defense, we're pretty tight-knit together, and we know how to talk to one another," Barnes said. "Of course, being the play-caller and relaying the call, I got to set us up with the right tempo, stay calm, and come with the right demeanor. Thankfully, that's kind of my demeanor anyway. Never too high, never too low, and hopefully, that carries throughout the game and helps rally everybody around me."

To his credit, Barnes does have a fair amount of experience as a starter—24 over three seasons in Green Bay. Barnes was effectively an every-down player last week against the Chicago Bears, logging nine total tackles. Now, he faces a Philadelphia Eagles team that ranks among the top five in tackle opportunities allowed this season.